Manchester United and Jose Mourinho have a pretty big summer transfer window ahead as they need to sign the right players that can challenge Manchester City next season. The United squad isn’t far from a well-balanced unit; they perhaps need a bit more depth, a left-back and a right-winger to push City next season.
Mourinho’s side did better than any other team since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement and the side need to build on that next season and challenge for the league title.
The transfer window is already open and the Red Devils have been linked with Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic according to recent reports.
Milinkovic-Savic has had a pretty consistent season with Lazio and almost helped his side to a top-four finish. Late drama against Inter Milan denied them a place in next season’s Champions League.
Milinkovic-Savic – Fact file
The talented Serbian played in 35 Serie A games for the side and his ability to control the tempo of the game and make the forward runs is something Manchester United sorely need. With 12 goals and three assists, Milinkovic-Savic was a key contributor from the midfield and that’s something United have sporadically had in Paul Pogba.
The 23-year old is an all-action midfielder and not only is his defensive contribution extremely strong, but he can also pick a pass. His passing accuracy last season might have been 79.9% but he averaged 1.5 key passes a game which outlines his creative ability.
Milinkovic-Savic likes getting forward and took 2.6 shots per game in the league last season. As for his defensive stats, well, he averaged 1.6 tackles and nearly one interception a game, pretty decent numbers for a midfielder who’s primary role might not be to shield the defence since Matic will be doing that.
How will Milinkovic-Savic fit in at Manchester United?
After a promising start, Pogba’s season hit a rather rough patch in the last few months of the season and United need someone just like him to raise the bar when he isn’t performing.
Milinkovic-Savic can also be played alongside Nemanja Matic and that could allow Pogba the freedom to an attacking role, more like a number 10.
Milinkovic-Savic is a pretty similar player to Pogba, albeit the Frenchman has a bit more pizzazz on the pitch. If Mourinho can have both the players at his disposal, United could be unstoppable next season.
Stats via Whoscored
